Annual quiz for local Rotarians

Annual Quiz for local Rotarians

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A quiz, a meat and potato pie, cheesecake and fruit salad were the centerpieces of an initiative aimed at getting all the local Rotary Clubs to join together on Monday 8 November.

Middleton Rotary Club launched the quiz night and approached the Rotarians of Heywood, Rochdale and Rochdale East for the event at the Norton Grange.

Middleton Rotarian Tim Johnson compiled the quiz, consisting of 10 rounds of 10 questions, of a compendium of subjects from sport to religion.

The event was a success with 41 attendees, and Rochdale Rotary Club managed to win with 74, clawing back a deficit of five points in the last round. Rochdale East had 73. Middleton came third with 68 and Heywood slipped into fourth place with a mere 62.

Organiser Keith Powell was on a cruise at the time. He said: “Historically the district has had a quiz each year, but for some reason it hasn’t been taking place, so I thought it would be nice for the clubs of Rochdale if we had one.”

“It was just for fun and fellowship,” he added. “Reports say it was very enjoyable. The challenge is for the winning club to organise it next year, so I hope Rochdale do.”

Tim Johnson wrote the quiz, but did not read it out. “A member of the audience came up to me afterwards and said, ‘I like your quizzes. We can answer the questions’.”

He agreed that it was important for Rotary Clubs to meet up together, explaining that there are 51 clubs in their chapter stretching from Preston to Saddleworth and they need to communicate. He said: “I used to arrange regular quizzes for about five years, but when I fell ill he had to give it up, and no-one else took over.”

Assistant District Governor Jon Lovgreen said on the night: “What a great night this has been. I applaud Middleton for their desire to get the local clubs working even closer together. It has been fun and entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable, and I sincerely hope this will be repeated for many years to come.

Middleton Rotary Club, who initially threw down the gauntlet to the other clubs, challenges the winners to keep the quiz going and arrange a similar event in the next Rotary year. Middleton club treasurer Keith Trinnaman thinks it’s important for Rotary Clubs to meet up, saying: “We all do our own good bits for local communities and people, but we need something like this to bring us all together, sharing our ideas.”

Rochdale Rotary President John Cannell confirmed that Rochdale will be hosting it next year. “It was an excellent night and well attended,” he said. “The tension was still up in the final round and it was a bit of a surprise ending.”